PORTLAND — A single-family home sustained heavy damage Monday morning from a three-alarm fire that attracted nearly 50 firefighters.

Portland Fire Chief Jerome LaMoria told reporters at the scene of the 38 Columbia Road blaze that neither of the home’s two residents were injured in the incident. One was not home at the time of the fire, and the other escaped safely.

LaMoria said neighbors called to report the fire at approximately 9 a.m., and crews had the blaze under control within an hour. He said investigators were still working to determine a cause and damage estimate for the fire, which he said seemed to originate on the first floor, but damaged every floor of the 2.5-story structure.

The chief said 48 firefighters were called to the “all-hands” incident.

According to the city assessor’s office, the 1,792-square-foot building was constructed in 1902 and is owned by John McVeigh. The land and structure have been assessed at a taxable value of $211,000.

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A Portland firefighter shovels wet ash from a partially gutted home Monday morning on Columbia Road.

A Portland firefighter leaves a Columbia Road residence damaged by fire Monday morning. Portland Fire Chief Jerome LaMoria said investigators were still determining a cause and damage estimate for the blaze.

Portland firefighters work from ladders after a blaze partially gutted a Columbia Road house on Monday.


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